The Texas Department of State Health Services today confirmed the state’s first case of West Nile illness of the season. DSHS is urging people to take precautions to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness.

West Nile illness was confirmed in an adult male from Anderson County. The patient is recovering from the neuroinvasive form of the disease. Additional details about the patient are not being released to protect the patient’s identity.

“This is a serious illness that can take a long-lasting toll,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “Last season was unprecedented, with record numbers of cases and deaths reported in Texas. People need to do all they can to protect themselves from mosquito bites.”

State health officials said there is no way to predict the severity of this year’s season. The intensity of West Nile virus activity in Texas fluctuates from year to year and depends on a variety of factors including the weather, the numbers of birds and mosquitoes that maintain and spread the virus and human behavior. The season can last up until the first hard freeze of the year.

To reduce exposure to West Nile virus:

Use an approved insect repellent every time you go outside and follow the instructions on the label. Among the EPA-approved repellents are those that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.

Symptoms of the milder form of illness, West Nile fever, can include headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. People with West Nile fever typically recover on their own, although symptoms may last for several weeks. Symptoms of the more serious form, West Nile neuroinvasive disease, can include those of West Nile fever plus neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. Up to 80 percent of people infected with the virus will have no symptoms.

There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection. People over 50 years old and those with other health issues are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying r when they become infected with the virus. If people have symptoms and suspect West Nile virus infection, they should contact their healthcare provider.

Last year’s outbreak was unprecedented and prompted state health officials to improve response capabilities. DSHS has plans in place to quickly move to a faster form of mosquito testing and to double testing capacity if another outbreak situation appears imminent. DSHS will use an electronic disease surveillance system that makes it more efficient for local entities to electronically submit and track the status of their West Nile cases. DSHS will continue to respond to requests from local communities for information as they develop West Nile virus response plans and consider response activities based on local mosquito surveillance and human case counts.